Immanuel Lutheran Augsburg Church

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Friday, December 24, 2010

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Welcome in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ!  The Babe of Bethlehem is the Immanuel (God with us) who would set aside His divine glory to be born of a virgin in the humblest of circumstances. On this blessed night, it is important to remember that Jesus’ manger rested in the shadow of a cross. We look to the cross where Jesus would give His life as a ransom for all who believe in His Name.  God presents His greatest gift to you and me in the person and work of His Beloved Son, our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Tonight, we celebrate that Gift.

The Service of the Sacrament will be celebrated on this evening. In this Holy Supper, our Savior gives to us His true Body and His true Blood for the strengthening of our faith. Those who approach the Lord’s Table on this evening give public witness to our confessional unity of faith. On the Scriptural basis of this unity, we ask that only those who are members of a congregation in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod commune with us. If you have not communed here before, please ask to speak with the Pastor or one of our Elders before the service.

Service of the Word

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Opening Hymn         “O Come, All Ye Faithful”                  LSB 379

Confession and Absolution                 Please Rise                      LSB 184-185                           

Old Testament Responsive Reading (Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7)

P:  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

C: On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

P:  You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;

C: They rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest.

P:  For to us a Child is born,

C: To us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.

P:  And He will be called:

C: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

P:  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

C: He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom,

     establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness forever.

First Christmas Reading                                Luke 2:1-5

Hymn              “O Little Town of Bethlehem”                       LSB 361

Second Christmas Reading                          Luke 2:6-7

Hymn               “Away in a Manger”                                     LSB 364

Third Christmas Reading                      Luke 2:8-14

     Hymn             “Angels We Have Heard On High”          LSB 368 

Fourth Christmas Reading                          Luke 2:15-20

Hymn                        “What Child is This”                     LSB 370

Sermon                     “The Time Has Come”                          Luke 2:1-20 

Offering      (Tonight’s offering will benefit Lutheran Child & Family Services of Illinois.)

Hymn of Response    “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” LSB 357 vs. 1-4

Prayers

Service of the Sacrament

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Communion Liturgy                                                LSB 194-197

Agnus Dei                (Lamb of God)                         LSB 198

The Distribution

 

Distribution Hymns 

“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”                    LSB 366

“Joy to the World”                                           LSB 387

        “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”                                   LSB 380

Litany Prayer

P:  Long ago in Bethlehem, Pure Light from heaven came down.

C: That Light was Christ; His Light was brighter than the stars.

P:  Jesus, Lord, at Your birth, love's pure light beams from Your holy face.

C: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

P:  Long ago in Bethlehem, Glorious Light from heaven came down.

C: That Light was Christ; His Light was greeted by choirs of angels.

P:  By Your birth in Bethlehem, You brought to light the Father's love.

C: Guide our lives with the Light of Your Truth.

P:  Long ago in Bethlehem, Pure Light from heaven came down.

C: That Light was Christ; His Light was Immanuel, God with us.

P:  Jesus, Lord, at Your birth, love's pure light beams from Your holy face.

C:  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

P:  Long ago in Bethlehem, Glorious Light from heaven came down.

C: That Light was Christ; His Light took away the darkness of sin and death.

P:  By Your birth in Bethlehem, You brought to light the Father's love.

C: Let us rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World!

 [The Lighting of the Candles]

After your candle has been lit, you are welcome to come forward and stand around the Christmas tree. When all the candles have been lit, we will join together in the singing of "Silent Night"…

Silent night, holy night!  All is calm, all is bright,

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

 

Silent night, holy night!  Shepherds quake at the sight;

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!  Christ the Savior is born!

 

Silent night, holy night!  Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

 The Benediction

 The Postlude

The Celebration of Our Savior’s Birth Continues! And what better way than to gather here in God’s presence to offer our sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise for the greatest gift of all, the gift of our Savior? Please join us tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. when we partake of those most perfect gifts that our Lord has especially prepared for us in Word and Sacrament.

                   Serving You on this Eve of Our Lord’s Nativity

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Celebrant                                                           Pastor Bruce Milash

Organist                                                            Dana Myers